The park authority wants to ban motors from Long Causeway. Photo: Michael Ely CC-BY-SA-2.0

National park bosses plan a second consultation over plans to ban off-roaders from two routes, including one next to one of the most popular climbing crags.

The Peak District National Park Authority will seek the public’s views on their proposals to ban motorised traffic from Long Causeway, which passes under Stanage Edge.

The authority also wants to impose a traffic regulation order on part of the Pennine Bridleway on the Roych, near Chapel-en-le-Frith.

The move follows a lengthy period of monitoring which showed harmful impacts on the natural beauty and on other users, such as walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, despite information campaigns, voluntary restraint and repairs.

An earlier consultation was held in the spring to seek the views of user groups and other statutory consultees on what restrictions, if any, they would prefer.

The majority, including parish councils and walking, horse-riding and environmental groups, urged a permanent exclusion of motorised traffic.

But the Peak and Derbyshire Vehicles User Group advocated peak-time exclusions and the Trail Riders Fellowship urged repairs and maintenance first, followed by alternative methods of management.

The Roych. Photo: Michael Ely CC-BY-SA-2.0

The authority’s audit, resources and performance committee undertook lengthy site visits before taking its unanimous decision, and representatives from user groups, parish councils and residents spoke at its recent meeting.

Committee chair Christopher Pennell said: “After taking into consideration all the views expressed, we consider that the continued use by recreational vehicles on these routes would have an adverse impact on their natural beauty, which includes the landscape, wildlife and heritage, and on the amenity value for the majority of people who want to use the routes.

“Therefore we wish to seek the public’s views on proposals that recreational motorised traffic should be excluded from the full length of the Long Causeway and from the Pennine Bridleway section of the Roych.”

Long Causeway is a 3.6km (2¼-mile) former packhorse route between Redmires Reservoir on the outskirts of Sheffield and Dennis Knoll, on the North Lees estate above Hathersage. It passes through internationally protected wildlife and geological areas, including a special area of conservation, a special protection area, a site of special scientific interest and the Dark Peak nature improvement area.

Part of the route passes below the climbers’ playground of Stanage Edge.

The 4.2km (2½-mile) section of the Roych that is proposed for restrictions is part of the Pennine Bridleway, the newly opened national trail open to horse-riders, walkers and cyclists.

It passes through farmland beneath the scenic Rushup Edge as well as a special area of conservation, a special protection area, a site of special scientific interest and the Dark Peak nature improvement area.

It also passes close to Bronze Age archaeological remains.

It is expected that the consultation will start in the autumn and last for six weeks.